Mechanical Science and Engineering
Department Office: 144 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1206 West Green, Urbana, (217) 333-1176
Curriculum in Engineering Mechanics
Undergraduate Program Office: 154 Mechanical Engineering Building
Fax: (217) 244-6534
E-mail: mechse-undergrad@uiuc.edu
For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics
Engineering mechanics is the discipline devoted to the solution of mechanics problems through integrated application of mathematical, scientific, and engineering principles. Special emphasis is placed on the physical principles underlying modern engineering design.
The program derives its strength from rigorous treatments of statics, dynamics, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and mechanics of materials. These topics form the basis of all the mechanical sciences and have wide applicability in modern engineering. Students in engineering mechanics also develop a strong background in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, while specializing in one of several secondary fields within mechanics, such as experimental mechanics.
Special emphasis is placed on advanced dynamics, continuum mechanics, and the rapidly emerging field of computational mechanics. Laboratory experiments in fluid mechanics and mechanics of materials complement an integrated design sequence, starting in the freshman year, which culminates in a team-based design project in one of the professional engineering disciplines, such as aerospace, civil, or mechanical engineering. Students also have the opportunity for independent, creative work in a one-on-one or small group environment under the supervision of a faculty member.
Overview of Curricular Requirements
The curriculum requires 131 hours for graduation and is organized as shown below.
Technical grade point average requirements for graduation and advanced-level course registration apply to students in this curriculum. These rules are summarized at the College of Engineering's undergraduate advising Web site.
Orientation and Professional Development
These courses introduce the opportunities and resources your college, department, and curriculum can offer you as you work to achieve your career goals. They also provide the skills to work effectively and successfully in the engineering profession.| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 0 | ENG 100—Engineering Orientation1 |
| 1 | TAM 195—Mechanics in the Modern World |
| 1 | Total |
1. External transfer students take ENG 300—Engrg Transfer Orientation instead.
Foundational Mathematics and Science
These courses stress the basic mathematical and scientific principles upon which the engineering discipline is based.| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | CHEM 102 - General Chemistry I |
| 1 | CHEM 103 - General Chemistry Lab I |
| 3 | CHEM 104 - General Chemistry II |
| 1 | CHEM 105 - General Chemistry Lab II |
| 4 | MATH 221 - Calculus I1 |
| 3 | MATH 231 - Calculus II |
| 4 | MATH 241 - Calculus III |
| 3 | MATH 415 - Applied Linear Algebra |
| 3 | MATH 441 - Differential Equations |
| 3 | MATH 442 - Intro Partial Diff Equations |
| 4 | PHYS 211 - University Physics: Mechanics |
| 4 | PHYS 212 - University Physics: Elec & Mag |
| 2 | PHYS 213 - Univ Physics: Thermal Physics |
| 2 | PHYS 214 - Univ Physics: Quantum Physics |
| 40 | Total |
1. MATH 220 - Calculus may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.
Engineering Mechanics Technical Core
These courses stress fundamental concepts and basic laboratory techniques that comprise the common intellectual understanding of engineering mechanics.| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | CS 101 - Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci |
| 3 | ECE 205 - Elec & Electronic Circuits |
| 3 | GE 101 - Engineering Graphics & Design |
| 3 | ME 300 - Thermodynamics |
| 3 | TAM 211 - Statics |
| 3 | TAM 212 - Introductory Dynamics |
| 3 | TAM 251 - Introductory Solid Mechanics |
| 1 | TAM 252 - Solid Mechanics Design |
| 3 | TAM 302 - Engineering Design Principles |
| 4 | TAM 324 - Behavior of Materials |
| 4 | TAM 335 - Introductory Fluid Mechanics |
| 4 | TAM 412 - Intermediate Dynamics |
| 4 | TAM 445 - Continuum Mechanics |
| 3 | TAM 470 - Computational Mechanics |
| 44 | Total |
Secondary Field Option Electives
This component of the curriculum enables the student to specialize further by electing a secondary field, a coherent group of technical courses in mechanics and closely related subjects. The current secondary fields are:
- Biomechanics
- Computational Mechanics
- Engineering Science and Applied Mathematics
- Experimental Mechanics
- Fluid Mechanics
- Mechanics of Materials
- Solid Mechanics
Each secondary field generally specifies two required courses and two additional courses from a list of approved elective courses. For each of the secondary fields, the required and approved elective courses specified for them are indicated on the Engineering Mechanics secondary field Web page. To add flexibility to the program and to accommodate particular interests, the student may petition to substitute appropriate courses, including 500-level courses if the student has the adequate preparation, for any of the secondary field elective courses. Without petition, a student may select any one course listed as required in one of the secondary field options to satisfy elective course credits in a chosen secondary field.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 12 | Secondary field electives selected from departmentally approved courses for Secondary Field Options. |
Senior Design Electives
The engineering capstone design course allows the student to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned to a design project in conjunction with a suitably chosen engineering design elective that is directly related to the intended area of focus in that design course.| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | Design elective approved by the departmental design sequence coordinator. |
| 3 | Capstone design course selected from a departmentally approved list of engineering capstone design courses and approved by the departmental design sequence coordinator.
|
| 6 | Total |
Social Sciences and Humanities
The social sciences and humanities courses, as approved by the College of Engineering, ensure that students have exposure in breadth and depth to areas of intellectual activity that are essential to the general education of any college graduate.| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 18 | Electives in social sciences and humanities approved by the College of Engineering and satisfying the campus general education requirements for social sciences and humanities, including cultural studies western and non-western. |
Composition
These courses teach fundamentals of expository writing.| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 4 | RHET 105 - Principles of Composition |
| Advanced Composition (satisfied by completing TAM 324 in the Engineering Mechanics Technical Core) | |
| 4 | Total |
Free Electives
These unrestricted electives give the student the opportunity to explore any intellectual area of unique interest. This freedom plays a critical role in helping students to define research specialties or to complete minors.| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 6 | Free electives. Additional unrestricted course work so that there are at least 131 credit hours earned toward the degree. |
Suggested Sequence
The schedule that follows is illustrative, showing the typical sequence in which courses would be taken by a student with no college course credit already earned and who intends to graduate in four years. Each individual's case may vary, but the position of required named courses is generally indicative of the order in which they should be taken.First year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | CHEM 102 - General Chemistry I |
| 1 | CHEM 103 - General Chemistry Lab I |
| 0 | ENG 100 - Engineering Orientation |
| 4 | MATH 221 - Calculus I1 |
| 4-3 | RHET 105 - Principles
of Composition or GE 101 - Engineering Graphics & Design2 |
| 1 | TAM 195 - Mechanics in the Modern World |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 16-15 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | CHEM 104 - General Chemistry II |
| 1 | CHEM 105 - General Chemistry Lab II |
| 3-4 | GE 101 - Engineering
Graphics & Design or RHET 105 - Principles of Composition2 |
| 3 | MATH 231 - Calculus II |
| 4 | PHYS 211 - University Physics: Mechanics |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 17-18 | Total |
Second year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | CS 101 - Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci |
| 4 | MATH 241 - Calculus III |
| 4 | PHYS 212 - University Physics: Elec & Mag |
| 3 | TAM 211 - Statics |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 17 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | ECE 205 - Elec & Electronic Circuits |
| 2 | PHYS 213 - Univ Physics: Thermal Physics |
| 2 | PHYS 214 - Univ Physics: Quantum Physics |
| 3 | TAM 212 - Introductory Dynamics |
| 3 | TAM 251 - Introductory Solid Mechanics |
| 1 | TAM 252 - Solid Mechanics Design |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 17 | Total |
Third year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | MATH 415 - Applied Linear Algebra |
| 3 | MATH 441 - Differential Equations |
| 3 | ME 300 - Thermodynamics |
| 4 | TAM 324 - Behavior of Materials |
| 4 | TAM 335 - Introductory Fluid Mechanics |
| 17 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | MATH 442 - Intro Partial Diff Equations |
| 3 | TAM 302 - Engineering Design Principles |
| 4 | TAM 412 - Intermediate Dynamics |
| 4 | TAM 445 - Continuum Mechanics |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 17 | Total |
Fourth year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | TAM 470 - Computational Mechanics |
| 3 | Senior design elective4 |
| 3 | Secondary field elective5 |
| 3 | Secondary field elective5 |
| 3 | Free elective |
| 15 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | Senior design elective4 |
| 3 | Secondary field elective5 |
| 3 | Secondary field elective5 |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 3 | Free elective |
| 15 | Total |
1. MATH 220 - Calculus may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.
2. RHET 105 may be taken in the first or second semester of the first year as authorized. The alternative is GE 101.
3. Each student must satisfy the 18-hour social sciences and humanities requirements of the College of Engineering and the campus general education requirements for social sciences and humanities.
4. A design elective or an engineering capstone design course selected from a departmentally approvedlist of engineering capstone design courses.
. Both choices must be approved by the departmental design sequence coordinator. In most cases, the capstone design course is taken in the last semester of study.
5. Selected from departmentally approved lists of Secondary Field Electives.